The 2018 edition of the International Potato Technology Expo welcomed professionals from across North America back to the Eastlink Centre this past Friday and Saturday. The top industry event took Charlottetown by storm with an impressive display of equipment and products, alongside a sold-out educational conference.
A total of 3,362 attendees walked the show floor to check out diverse exhibits from local, regional, national and international companies. Potato growers, together with the leading manufacturers of equipment and product solutions from across the Maritimes and beyond, were in attendance. Dozens of exhibitors at the show debuted cutting-edge and innovative products including new potato varieties, the latest models of equipment, innovative growing technology and more.
Show Manager Mark Cusack was pleased to report the success of the event. “The crowd was very steady and exhibitors were happy with the turnout,” he said. “We saw professionals of all backgrounds come out to the event – from lifelong growers to children and families of the industry. Comments on the conference were very positive as well. Everything came together at the right time.”
The full educational conference program saw huge success on both days of the show. During some sessions, listeners lined the room with seats completely filled to hear experts speak on informative, relevant topics. Seminar presenters included John Walsh of McCain Foods; Drs. Suqi Li and Christine Noronha of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada; Dr. Jiwan Palta of the University of Wisconsin; Ryan Barrett, of the PEI Potato Board with a panel of growers including Andrew Lawless and Nathan Ching; Bill Menkveld of Greentronics; and Drs. Andy Robinson and Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill of North Dakota State University and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada.
Sponsors of the event included Prince Edward Island Agriculture and Fisheries, Syngenta and Farm Credit Canada. The show is produced by Master Promotions Ltd., Canada’s largest independent trade and consumer event management company.
The International Potato Technology Expo is North America’s leading potato event and takes place biennially in Charlottetown. The next edition will occur in 2020 and information will be posted online at www.PotatoExpo.ca as it becomes available.
